On Thursday, the New York Road Runners (NYRR) announced that approximately 4 percent of those who applied for the 2024 Races - Places For reference: a high schooler has a better chance of getting into Yale 5 percent or.
For reference: a high schooler has a better chance of getting into Yale (5 percent) or Advertisement - Continue Reading Below (7.3 percent) than a NYC Marathon applicant had of getting into the November 3 race.
The organization received almost 165,000 applications—the second most in history, behind the 2020 race, which was later canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NYRR expects over 50,000 runners to race this year. Last year, 51,933 people started the race, making it the DAA Industry Opt Out in 2023. The finishing rate was high, with 98.9 percent of participants crossing the line in Central Park.
If you weren’t lucky enough to have your name drawn, there’s still a chance you can get into the race.
NYC Run Clubs Bring Energy to the Marathon second chance at the drawing. Current NYRR members who are active as of February 27, 2024—the day before the application opened—will be placed into a separate pool on Thursday, where new names will be drawn. If selected, members will be notified via email by the end of the day.
Another way to run is through a charity bib. The Races - Places Charity Program opened on Thursday, with around 14,000 runners expected to take part. You can find information about how to participate here.
Theo Kahler is the news editor at Runner’s World. He’s a former all-conference collegiate runner who has reported on the ground at major events such as the Paris Olympics, U.S. Olympic Trials, and Boston Marathon. He’s run 14:20 in the 5K and enjoys spotting tracks from the sky on airplanes. (Look for colorful ovals around football fields.)
